One on One with Fedor: “There’s really nothing that worries me about him”
Published by on June 4th, 2009 in Interviews

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The one, the only, fight sport living legend, “The Last Emperor” Fedor Emelianenko took time out to speak with MMAMemories.com about his next opponent Josh Barnett at Affliction Trilogy set for August 1 at the Honda Center in Anaheim, CA. In this interview, the supreme wrecking machine reveals some very interesting insights about his “true” friend Barnett, what inspires him, and more…

MMAMemories.com: Do you feel unbeatable right now?

Fedor Emelianenko: I never think about the fact that I’m unbeatable in any way. I understand that at any moment I can lose a fight.

MMAMemories.com: Do you expect this fight against your friend to be the toughest, most difficult fight of your career?

Fedor Emelianenko: It’s hard to say, it’s hard to predict. I mean I’ve already had a lot of very tough fights. So I can only tell you after the fight how particularly tough this fight was.

MMAMemories.com: What most concerns you from the arsenal of Josh Barnett?

Fedor Emelianenko: There’s really nothing that worries me about him. I look at this very level-headedly, and look at his strengths and look at his weaknesses. And just look at things very even keel, without getting too nervous or too emotional about it.

MMAMemories.com: Is there anything you don’t like about Josh?

Fedor Emelianenko: [Smiles] not really. He’s a good friend. I consider him to be a true friend.

MMAMemories.com: What is the key to victory for you on August 1?

Fedor Emelianenko: The training. The preparation for the fight. That’s the key.

MMAMemories.com: How do you see the fight ending? Could it possibly be you being the first to get Josh in an armbar?

Fedor Emelianenko: I don’t know how the fight is going to turn out, how it’s going to play out. And whether or not I’ll have the opportunity to end the fight in a particular way.

MMAMemories.com: After all you have achieved, after all your triumphs at the highest level of this sport, what inspires you at age 32 to fight now?

Fedor Emelianenko: The biggest inspiration is that I represent my country and the sport. I help people see that I fight for my country and that’s what drives me. The sport has given a lot to me and I fight not only for my country but for me people, for my orthodox heritage and background in religion. And I am very proud of that. And when I go into the ring I have the entire country and my people behind me.

Stay tuned for our one-one-one interview with Josh Barnett and full New York press conference coverage.